Tamper-proof seal for bottle closure



Nov. 27, 1956 P. F. CLARK TAMPER-PROOF SEAL FOR BOTTLE CLOSURE FiledSept. 17, 1954 Fig. 1

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ATTORNEY United States Patent TAMPER-PROQF SEAL FOR BOTTLE CLOSUREPreston F. Clark, Texas City, Tex, assignor to Pan American Pipe LineCompany, Houston, Tex a corporation of Delaware Application September17, 1954, Serial No. 456,715

3 Claims. (Cl. 215- 22) This invention relates to a bottle closure and,in particular, to a tamper-proof seal for use on narrow-necked, corkedbottles.

In connection with the taking and analyzing of petroleum samples, it isdesired to employ inexpensive and manually operable closures on samplebottles. On the other hand, it is important that there be nosubstitution of one sample for another and it is with respect to preventing such substitution that this invention relates.

Other devices for this purpose are objectionable for a number ofreasons. For example, when wire or the like is used to bind a cork, thecork and bottle neck may be damaged and the seal cannot be reused sincethe wire must be broken, cut or opened in such a manner that the sealcannot be used again.

One object of the present invention is to provide a tamper-proof sealfor containers or bottles having a narrow neck and a removable closureor cork. A further object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive,effective and reusable tamper-proof seal. Another object of theinvention is to provide a tamper-proof seal which is adjustable anduniversal in its application to narrow necked containers. A furtherobject is to provide a tamper-proof seal which is simple in constructionand economical to manufacture and maintain. Likewise, it is an object toprovide such a seal that can easily be applied by hand without anyspecial tools. These and other objects of the invention will becomeapparent as the description thereof proceeds.

According to the present invention, the seal when applied assures amplesecurity against tarnpering of the closure to be protected thereby,while at the same time a portion of the seal may be repeatedly used.

In brief, the seal embodies two co-operating members, one of Which isadapted to encircle the bottle neck and overlie the cap. This is thereusable portion. The other member is expendable and encircles thebottle neck to secure the seal in place. Further details and advantagesof the invention will become apparent as the description thereofproceeds with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the seal member;

Figure 2 is a perspective of the formed and shaped seal of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevation illustrating the tamperproof seal securinga stoppered container; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary front elevation showing the assembled seal ofFigure 3.

In the manufacture of my new seal, I may form the keeper element ofFigures 1 and 2 from metal sheet such as 30 gauge tin-plated steelsheeting. The band or shackle for securing the tamper-proof seal, asshown in Figures 3 and 4, may also be of deformable metal but may be oftough fibrous or plastic material since it is expendable.

In applying the seal to a sample bottle, the strap portions 11 and 12 ofthe seal are formed in a generally circular configuration, as shown inFigure 2. A pair of projecting tabs 13 and 14 are formed at the ends ofthe straps 11 and 12. Within the tabs 13 and 14 are transverse slots 15and 16, the function of which will be described below. The keeper 17 ofthe seal 10 is bent forwardly and downwardly, as shown in Figure 2.

The cork 18 is placed in the bottle 19 and the straps 2,772,014 PatentedNov. 27, 1956 11 and 12 are arranged around the throat 20 of the bottle19 and the tabs 13 and 14 are placed in back to back position with theslots 15 and 16 in alignment. The keeper 17 is pulled forwardly anddownwardly over the top of the cork 18, and tabs 13 and 14 arranged backto back are passed through the longitudinal slot 21 in the keeper 17.

The latch band 22, which is expendable, is Wrapped about the throat orneck 20 of the bottle 19 passing through the slots 15 and 16 in tabs 13and 14 and secured at its end by ball lock member 23. This serves toretain the keeper 17 over the cork 18 so as it cannot be removed withoutfirst removing the band 22 and then lifting the keeper 17 therebyrendering the seal tamperproof.

To accommodate corks of different height and to apply the tamper-proofseal to closures of substantially flat configuration, I provide anadditional slot 21a in keeper 17 to receive the tabs 13 and 14 whichlikewise may have additional slots 15a and 16a. Otherwise, the operationis the same as described above.

Although I have described my invention with respect to a particularembodiment thereof, it should be understood that this is by way ofillustration only and that modifications can be made therein by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

l. A tamper-proof seal for a container having a narrow throat whichcomprises a strap member having transverse slots adjacent the endsthereof, an elongated deformable keeper member integral with said strapand extending transversely to an edge thereof, a longitudinal slot insaid keeper member adapted to receive the slotted ends of said strap,and an expendable latch band overlying said strap and passing throughsaid transverse slots to retain said ends within said longitudinal slotcarried by said keeper when said strap member is arranged about thethroat of said container.

2. A tamper-proof seal for a stoppered container having a narrow throatthe combination which comprises a keeper element including a generallyT-shaped body, the arms of said T comprising throat-encircling strapsand the leg of said T providing a keeper strap adapted to overlie themouth of said container, a longitudinal slot adjacent the end of saidkeeper, out-turned tabs at the ends of each of said arms adapted toenter said slot, a transverse slot in each of said tabs, and anexpendable band overlying a substantial portion of said strap and aslotted portion of said keeper and passing through said transverse slotsin said strap to retain said keeper.

3. A tamper-proof seal for use on containers having a narrow neck and aremovable closure which comprises a conformable strap member adapted toencircle said neck, a transverse slot adjacent each end of said strapmember, a keeper element integral with said strap and extending normalfrom an edge thereof, said keeper element being adapted to overlie theclosure when said strap encircles said neck, a longitudinal slot in saidkeeper element adjacent the free end thereof, the ends of said strapbeing extendable through said slot, an expendable latching band adaptedto overlie said strap and pass through said transverse slots, andlocking means for said band to prevent its removal from said slotswithout mutilating the band.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS832,042 De Mars Oct. 2, 1906 1,577,372 Seline et al. Mar. 16, 1926FOREIGN PATENTS 325,077 Italy Feb. 27, 193.5

